Akita

Akita History and Domestication
The Akita is a medium sized domestic Dog breed, first bred in Japan in the 1600s. The Akita originates from the Akita Prefecture in the north-east of Japan, hence it's name. The exact reason for their initial creation is still disagreed upon, as to whether or not they were first bred as hunting or as fighting Dogs. Despite this, many favour the theory that this large breed was bred to aid local people with the hunting of Deer and Wild Boar and to possibly protect them from large carnivores like Wolves and Bears, with the fighting of them becoming popular, before people began to fortunately lose interest in the sport. Today, they are mainly used to assist their owners when hunting and are also a popular foreign breed in western households.

Akita Physical Characteristics
Like a number of other Japanese working breeds, the Akita has a plush double-coat of fur, consisting of a medium length top layer and a soft undercoat to keep them warm. This double-coat of fur can vary in colour, and is actually also water-resistant, preventing the Akita from developing hypothermia. The Akita has a strong, muscular body that is longer than it is tall. They have a heavy triangular head, with dark, triangular eyes that are deeply set into the Dog's face. The thick, strong limbs of the Akita allow it to move with vigorous precision particularly when hunting, and it's slightly webbed paws make this Dog an excellent swimmer. The most distinctive features of the Akita are their small, pointed ears and curved, upturned tail which almost sits on the Dog's back.

Akita Behaviour and Temperament
Due to the fact that the Akita has been historically bred as both a hunting and a fighting Dog, they are naturally aggressive and very dominant animals. Akitas have changed very little since they were first produced, with household individuals still having strong hunting instincts today. They are therefore, not for the inexperienced owner as they require firm and consistent training with lots of positive reinforcement. The Akita is also known to respond badly to harsh treatment. They are incredibly intelligent and loyal Dogs though, and are loving, devoted and gentle towards their master and family. The Akita is also known to be a good guard Dog as it is very suspicious of any person or animal that it doesn't know.

Akita Breeding
Like many other domestic breeds, today the Akita can be found in a variety of colours and with a milder temperament than it's ancestors. They are however, still bred as working and hunting Dogs in their native Japan, assisting their master in catching food, as well as being an increasingly popular choice of guard Dog in the west. There are few health problems however, that are associated with this breed including hyperthyroid, hip and knee problems, which are all common ailments of larger Dogs particularly. They generally live for between 9 and 15 years, and females can have anywhere from three to twelve puppies per litter.

Akita Interesting Facts and Features
In the 1930s, the Akita was so rare in Japan due to the increasing popularity of non-native breeds, that only the very rich could apparently afford one. They were declared as a "national treasure" in Japan in an attempt to conserve the country's native breeds, and having an Akita in a household is said to symbolise good health, good fortune and prosperity. Due to their long, thick coat, Akitas shed heavily twice a year, for about 2 weeks at a time, meaning that they must be brushed every day to prevent their fur from matting. Possibly due to their natural hunting nature, household Dogs are known to enjoy carrying objects in their mouths.

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Taking Care of an Akita

Anyone who has ever seen the movie Hachiko would know the loyalty and love an Akita can give to their owners. Akitas are wonderful, alert, and powerful large dogs that have a heavy structure, similar to a bear. The elite society members of northern Japan once bred these beautiful dogs. Today, they can be found all over the world. Akitas are very flexible dogs and can live in an apartment in the city or in a big farm. Taking care of an Akita is not really as difficult as it sounds, nor is it different from the care given to any other breed for that matter.

Always be cautious if others are around them

Akitas are loyal and wonderful guard dogs. They can watch over your home and scare danger off with their loud barks. However, dog owners can never be too careful. Children, especially toddlers, should never be left alone with the dog. Older children need to know what they can and cannot do with a large dog such as an Akita. When there are visitors at home, the dog can be placed inside a room or they can be leashed.  One thing people find less attractive amongst Akitas is their temperament. These dogs are known to be a bit aggressive and do not take to strangers very well. Akitas that are used to seeing other people and animals are actually better in socializing compared to the ones who are always kept at home.

Keep them clean

Akitas have very thick fur. Japanese Akitas come in four classic colors, Red Fawn, Sesame, Brindle and White. American Akitas are bigger and have more fur colors. Either way, these dogs need a lot of tending to when it comes to grooming. Regular baths are needed and brushing should be done daily.

Health issues

Akitas are prone to hypothyroid disease, which causes weight gain. Their diet needs to be monitored to avoid them from getting too big. These dogs, especially pure bred Akitas, are also known to have hip problems, blood and bone disorders and degenerative myelopathy. DM in dogs will mean that they need special attention when it comes to exercise and diet. Checking an Akita’s bloodline is one way of knowing if it will develop DM in dogs in the future, so always check their records.

Lifespan

Akitas can live up to about 10 to 12 years, but some Akitas have lived up to 15 years and more. These dogs are known to survive in most type of climates. However, they are used to more cooler weather. If you live in the tropics, air-conditioning may be necessary during the summer to prevent heat exhaustion and stroke.

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Hachikō’s Loyalty

The words loyal and obedient have become synonymous with dogs, identified as a dog trait which all dogs are capable of regardless of who or what kind of a person their master is.

But as all dogs can exhibit degrees of loyalty and obedience, not all are capable of bringing loyalty and obedience to legendary heights – as Hachikō had done.

Famed for exhibiting remarkable loyalty to his master (extending that loyalty for years even after his master’s death) Hachikō’s story began with a simple “routine”, where he would wait at the Shibuya Station at the end of the day for Hidesaburō Ueno - his master who taught in the Agriculture Department in the University of Tokyo - to come home from work.

This went on until a day in May, 1925, when Ueno failed to meet Hachikō at the station. The master had suffered from cerebral hemorrhage during the course of the day, and died. Hachikō, however, continued to wait for his master’s return, going to the Shibuya Station everyday for nine years.

Loyalty and obedience brought to legendary heights, indeed.

Hachikō’s story attracted a lot of people, including growing interest in the Akita breed of dogs which Hachikō was a purebreed of. At that time, one of Ueno’s students conducted a study revealing that there were only 30 purebred Akitas left, and as Hachikō’s story of loyalty was told and retold, his determination and loyalty to his master grew into becoming a national symbol for loyalty, thereby propelling interest in the Akita breed as a whole.

Hachikō died in 1935 and it was only recently, in March 2011, when scientists were in agreement in determining the cause of his death: a filaria (worms) infection and a form of terminal cancer.

Today, variants in the Akita breed are defined by the prime types of the breed, Akita Inu (Japanese Akitas) and American Akita (American breed Akitas). Akitas are part of spitz breed of dogs, with roots hailing from the mountainous areas of Japan.

As a breed, Akitas are dominant and independent. They are very affectionate to masters and family members, but on guard with other strangers and, at times, intolerant of the presence of other dogs. They are known to exhibit cat-like attributes, like cleaning their faces after meals, and as Hachikō had shown, are known for their loyalty.

A number of short stories and full-length features, including a movie starring Richard Gere, have been made based on Hachikō’s loyalty.

If one thinks about it, Hachikō waited for his master’s return for nine years, going to the station everyday. Can we say that we know of anyone else exhibiting that kind of loyalty?

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